Originally Posted by
guv1976
(Emphasis added.)
Under EC 261/2004, shouldn't a mere date change be free, since the operating carrier -- IB -- cancelled the originally-ticketed IAD-MAD flight?
I would think so (although I'm by no means a EC261 expert), so if the OP just wants to change the date of the return segment they could try that angle first.
Although even if this is supposedly allowed I would expect some pushback from AA asking to change the return segment from Sep. 2024 to something like Mar. 2025 for no charge.